ligament injury

[vicki B]

I’ve just come across your discussion group today as I was searching for info on ligament injuries. My poor baby boy Cobra, who was four yesterday injured his cruciate ligament whilst playing his favorite game, football. (What a birthday present for us all). I rushed him to the vets as he was continuously whimpering in pain and they gave him a pain relief injection for the night and this morning I took him in to have the operation. The vets called to let me know the operation seemed to be a success (the ligament was replaced, but he also had a little arthritis in the joint) and that he should be ready to come home tonight or tomorrow depending how he settles. They also said that he will be uncomfortable for a few days. I can’t bear to think of him in pain, last night he lay with his head in my lap and whimpered every now and again. It’s been explained to me that it’s going to be a slow recovery and I wondered if any one had any other advise to make him a little more comfortable and if the operation can completely correct the problem in the long term.

Vicki

[Su]

I also have a rottweiler with a torn ligament
He had surgery two years ago. This past month the same ligament tore. We are not what to do. No guarantee this time surgery
will hold. He was in such pain after the first surgery and not sure if we should do it again. It took a good six months for him to recover after surgery. He is now only 5 years old.

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[Lynne W]

Sorry to hear about your dog. The same thing happened to my Rottie - Sam - last year he tore his ligament twice. He had his operation about 6 weeks ago with a synthetic nylon being put in place and on the first night he was in alot of pain and discomfort, but he soon overcome that. We used a towel under his stomach to keep his back leg up for the first week to take out to the garden to relieve himself. But now after only 6 weeks he is doing really well and can go for a good walk and go up stairs (and on the furniture) etc... after we were told it would be a slow process. I am sure with your rottie being only four she will be OK. You will just have to be patient and give her lots of love and attention. Also we have been recommended to take Sam swimming to allow the muscles to move without putting too much pressure on his leg, in a specially made pool for animals of course, not just your local swimming pool !!
Hope everything goes OK


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Lynne

[vicki B]

Thanks all for you reply's. Cobra is now at home and doing OK. A little down in the dumps maybe but happy to be home. When I took him in I wasn't sure whether they was attempting to repair the ligament or replace it with an artificial one. In the end they decided to replace it.

Today is a little more encouraging, he has started to eat a little but we still have to work on the relieving bit, he doesn't want to go out and when I try to help him with support he just slumps to the ground.

I'm sorry to hear that you have both had to go through this twice; the first time is bad enough.

Thanks again for your support.

Vicki